title: Measurement depth enhancement in terahertz imaging of biological tissues.
abstract: We demonstrate the use of a THz penetration-enhancing agent (THz-PEA) to enhance the terahertz (THz) wave penetration depth in tissues. The THz-PEA is a biocompatible material having absorption lower than that of water, and it is easily absorbed into tissues. When using glycerol as a THz-PEA, the peak value of the THz signal which was transmitted through the fresh tissue and reflected by a metal target, was almost doubled compared to that of tissue without glycerol. THz time-of-flight imaging (B-scan) was used to display the sequential glycerol delivery images. Enhancement of the penetration depth was confirmed after an artificial tumor was located below fresh skin. We thus concluded that the THz-PEA technique can potentially be employed to enhance the image contrast of the abnormal lesions below the skin.
authors.forename: Seung Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Sang-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kiyoung
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Yeonji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yong-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: Joo-Hiuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Jin-Suck
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000737:chemistry; D055069:Terahertz Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D000431:Ethanol; D010577:Petrolatum; D005990:Glycerol